Subject:
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Partial transcript of pretty much every interview with Condoleezza Rice
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Fri, 19 Mar 2004 17:10:13 GMT
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Viewed:
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197 times
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Commentator: Good evening, Dr. Rice. I hope you’re well.
Rice: I’m much better, now that brave coalition forces have removed the butcher
Saddam Hussein from power.
C: How do you respond to concerns about the failure to find any weapons of mass
destruction?
R: There’s been no failure. We have to recognize that ever since Sept. 11,
2001, the rules have changed.
C: Okay, but what about the WMD?
R: Let’s be perfectly clear. We were attacked on our own soil. If we want to
avoid the loss of American lives, we need to take the fight to the terrorists,
in their own backyard.
C: So you’re not going to comment on the WMD?
R: I think I’ve made my views clear on that point. Saddam Hussein was a brutal
dictator, and we don’t want terrorists to strike at us again within our borders.
C: (Sighs) Let’s change tack a little. It’s been reported that you declined to
testify before the 9-11 commission. Aren’t you concerned that this might make
it seem that the administration has something to hide?
R: Not at all. Pres. Bush has shown remarkable leadership in the wake of 9-11.
The world is a better place with Saddam Hussein out of power.
C: But if you have nothing to hide, why not testify publicly?
R: We didn’t begin this war—we were attacked on our own soil, let’s not forget.
Saddam Hussein has been defeated, but the war goes on.
C: Everyone agrees that it was good to remove Saddam, but it can hardly be said
that the world is safer with him gone. Look at the continuing bombings and
assassinations in—
R: I agree that Al Qaeda continues to be a threat, just as this administration
has asserted all along. The terrorists who flew civilian aircraft into our
buildings are the same homicide bombers who’ve fought to keep democracy out of
Iraq, but they won’t succeed.
C: So, it’s your assertion that Saddam Hussein had definitive ties to Al Qaeda?
R: Let me put it this way. If Saddam had given WMDs to Al Qaeda, the tragedy
of 9-11 would have been much, much worse. Pres. Bush has shown great leadership
in the war on terror—
C: Right, right. But what about the massive apparent intelligence failures
preceding, during, and after the invasion of Iraq?
R: All the intelligence confirms what we’ve said all along. Saddam’s regime
was incredibly cruel, and he needed to be removed. We don’t want another 9-11
on our hands.
C: Okay, but President Bush, VP Cheney, Sec. Powell, Dep. Sec. Wolfowitz, and
you all stated clearly and with confidence that Saddam had weapons of mass
destruction and the intent to use them, and Sec. Rumsfeld went so far as to say
we knew exactly where they were. How do you respond to those who question those
claims, now that no evidence of WMDs has turned up?
R: As we’ve stated clearly before, Saddam was clear in his non-compliance never
to show the disinclination not to pursue a potential program to research the
possible non-development of weapons of mass destruction. We stand by that
assertion.
C: Ah, yes. I understand now. In closing, Dr. Rice, what do you say to
critics of the administration who question the President’s choice to use images
of the tragedy of September 11th in his campaign ads?
R: The nation has faced great challenges, both after 9-11 and during the war in
Iraq. President Bush has shown tremendous leadership, and the use of those
images is appropriate, in fact necessary, so that we never forget our shared
experiences as a nation. Under President Bush our brave servicemen and women
have fought the terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would be a great
disservice not to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
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